In a general sense, eating disorders are experienced as disturbances in eating habits and are accompanied by physical and emotional distress. They lead to a deterioration of physical and psychological well-being, and ultimately can cause death. To understand what an eating disorder means for the person experiencing these difficulties, it is more helpful to think of the eating disorder as something that a person has developed, in order to feel that they can cope with their lives and feelings. However, the more the person relies on the eating disorder to cope, the more they need the eating disorder to cope, and very quickly they spiral into a situation where they feel they will only be able to cope and live if they hold onto the eating disorder. The person’s sense of who they are becomes entrenched in them holding onto the eating disorder and this is why it is so difficult and terrifying for a person to think about letting it go. Therefore, while it is clear to everyone else that the person is harming themselves, the only way the person with the eating disorder feels they can survive is by maintaining the eating disorder. See for example, the eating disorder voice.